Whether our students are destined for further study, a traineeship or employment, our staff will help them choose the appropriate pathway to achieve success.

Career choices commence in Middle School

Students of all ages are able to access this service and formal preparation for career choice commences in Middle School (Years 7-9) when students undertake a careers unit as part of their pastoral care program.

To guide career and study choices, our students are encouraged to identify what they are good at and what they enjoy doing, investigate different types of careers and then research the steps they need to take to get there.

Pathway preparation begins in Senior School

Year 10 is “crunch time” and students choose their subjects and complete a careers “Module of Work” during Term 3 to support this process. Their program is designed to prepare students for the pathway options through Years 11 – 12 and to provide the opportunity for them to:

learn through a wide variety of subject choices;

investigate course options for Years 11 and 12;

excel in areas of strength and consolidate learning in areas of weakness.

Years 11 and 12

Students choose from a range of Year 11 and 12 pathways in order to achieve a Queensland Certificate of Education.

Every Pathway leads to a Future Career

We offer our students a wide variety of senior study pathways and our Careers Development Centre is crucial in assisting them to explore the opportunities available and plan their future careers.

University Entrance

The Overall Position (OP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and a variety of Vocational Education options prepare students directly for university entrance. While each of these pathways is different, they ALL provide students with excellent opportunities to extend their education at a tertiary level and achieve their desired career outcomes.

Vocational Education and Training

Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications are available through the “Partnerships with Schools” program where students may undertake VET qualifications at either the Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE (MSIT) or trade-based qualifications at Skills Tech Australia.

John Paul College is also a Registered Training Organisation and students may elect to undertake a variety of VET courses at the College.

All VET courses provide a high level of real world employability skills and the opportunity to work towards completing a nationally recognised qualification.

These qualifications also provide students with entry into associated Diplomas at TAFE, and a completed Certificate III qualification carries an allocated rank from QTAC of 68 (equivalence OP 16*). *(OPs fluctuate annually and this is correct as per QTAC figures for 2012 and should be used as a guide)

School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Students interested in pursuing careers in trades or related service industries may wish to take up the option of undertaking a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SAT).

This pathway allows students to study four days a week on a reduced workload of five subjects. The additional day is spent in the workplace, undertaking paid employment.

Students have the opportunity to gain valuable industry based experience and also work towards completing a nationally recognised qualification.

University in Year 12

The Griffith GUEST, QUT START and UQ Enhanced Studies programs enable select students the ability to study a university subject as part of Year 12.

Students enrolled in this program are able to complete their senior studies over three years instead of two – allowing them greater time to concentrate on their particular specialisation without compromising their academic achievements.

This program is offered to exceptional athletes and performers on the basis of application to specific selection criteria and interview.

Support Network

A full time network of support personnel, including Heads of Years, Chaplain, Counsellors, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Learning Enhancement teachers is also available to support our children in their pursuit of academic excellence.